Deep Democracy

Community, Diversity, and Transformation

Judith M. Green

Deeply understood, democracy is more than a 'formal' institutional framework for which America provides the model, acting as a preferable alternative to the modern totalitarian regimes that have distorted social life around the world. At its core, as John Dewey understood, democracy is a realistic ideal, a desired and desirable future possibility that is yet-to-be. In this period of global crises in differing cultures, a shared environment, and an increasingly globalized political economy, this book provides a clear contemporary articulation of deep democracy that can guide an evolutionary deepening of democratic institutions, of habits of the heart, and of the processes of education and social inquiry that support them.
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Green argues for a concept of democracy that moves beyond the conflict between the individual and community, quietism and activism, multiculturalism and monoculturalism, and theory in opposition to practice. In a house of darkness—a world plagued by ethnic wars, class conflict, and sexual exploitation—a strenuously researched and masterfully argued account of what democracy should mean is a welcomed beacon.— Leonard Harris, Professor of Philosophy, Purdue University

In this carefully researched and well-written volume, Judith Green moves philosophy off the drawing board into the rough-and-tumble world where life and death decisions are made. Her key theme is location-specific action based on experimentation, pluralism, and radical democracy. And her goal is nothing less than the transformation of culture from the street corner to the global marketplace. In her hands, philosophy becomes a set of public tasks.— Larry A. Hickman, Director of the Center for Dewey Studies, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Judith Green has a powerful feel for the social, political and economic problems we face. Her book is a passionate plea for caring and intelligence in the way we treat others here and on the other side of the globe. In the best tradition of American philosophy, she presents concrete ideas for improving our practices.— John Lachs, Vanderbilt University

A valuable addition to the sparse, but growing literature on how democratic theory and practice can be used to transform a society that has been plagued by racism, sexism, and class oppression.— Howard McGary, Rutgers University

Green's book touches on a number of interesting questions in democratic theory.— Philosophy in Review

Deep Democracy is a refreshing and optimistic look at the usefulness of philosophy and philosopers, a well-researched study of theorists who model a commitment to human flourishing, a specific and well-grounded guidebook for building communities and recovering from "ontological rootlessness" and "existential nihilism", and an important call to philosophers to overcome their own theoretical differences and work toward "democratically deepening our hearts and minds" (xiii).— Journal of Speculative Philosophy

The need to give close attention to Deep Democracy has special urgency. Already an important contribution to democratic theory and pragmatic social thought, Deep Democracy holds significant potential in helping to guide the transformative democratic processes at work in the world today. The scholarship cotnained in these pages is formidable.— Transactions of the Charles S. Peirce Society

—Draws on the resources of the pragmatist tradition in American political thought to develop an original theory of communitarianism

—Shows how democratic theory can make use of the ideas of thinkers who have been on the front lines in political effortsto make American society more inclusive—Dewey, Alain Locke, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cornel West

—Addresses issues of major concern for a society plagued by racism, sexism, and class oppression

—A lively and readable book, suitable as a text orresource book for students and scholars of democratic theory

—For your courses in social and political philosophy, community and democracy, African-American philosophy, and multicultural studies

Deep Democracy

Community, Diversity, and Transformation

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Summary

Summary

Deeply understood, democracy is more than a 'formal' institutional framework for which America provides the model, acting as a preferable alternative to the modern totalitarian regimes that have distorted social life around the world. At its core, as John Dewey understood, democracy is a realistic ideal, a desired and desirable future possibility that is yet-to-be. In this period of global crises in differing cultures, a shared environment, and an increasingly globalized political economy, this book provides a clear contemporary articulation of deep democracy that can guide an evolutionary deepening of democratic institutions, of habits of the heart, and of the processes of education and social inquiry that support them.

Green argues for a concept of democracy that moves beyond the conflict between the individual and community, quietism and activism, multiculturalism and monoculturalism, and theory in opposition to practice. In a house of darkness—a world plagued by ethnic wars, class conflict, and sexual exploitation—a strenuously researched and masterfully argued account of what democracy should mean is a welcomed beacon.— Leonard Harris, Professor of Philosophy, Purdue University

In this carefully researched and well-written volume, Judith Green moves philosophy off the drawing board into the rough-and-tumble world where life and death decisions are made. Her key theme is location-specific action based on experimentation, pluralism, and radical democracy. And her goal is nothing less than the transformation of culture from the street corner to the global marketplace. In her hands, philosophy becomes a set of public tasks.— Larry A. Hickman, Director of the Center for Dewey Studies, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Judith Green has a powerful feel for the social, political and economic problems we face. Her book is a passionate plea for caring and intelligence in the way we treat others here and on the other side of the globe. In the best tradition of American philosophy, she presents concrete ideas for improving our practices.— John Lachs, Vanderbilt University

A valuable addition to the sparse, but growing literature on how democratic theory and practice can be used to transform a society that has been plagued by racism, sexism, and class oppression.— Howard McGary, Rutgers University

Green's book touches on a number of interesting questions in democratic theory.— Philosophy in Review

Deep Democracy is a refreshing and optimistic look at the usefulness of philosophy and philosopers, a well-researched study of theorists who model a commitment to human flourishing, a specific and well-grounded guidebook for building communities and recovering from "ontological rootlessness" and "existential nihilism", and an important call to philosophers to overcome their own theoretical differences and work toward "democratically deepening our hearts and minds" (xiii).— Journal of Speculative Philosophy

The need to give close attention to Deep Democracy has special urgency. Already an important contribution to democratic theory and pragmatic social thought, Deep Democracy holds significant potential in helping to guide the transformative democratic processes at work in the world today. The scholarship cotnained in these pages is formidable.— Transactions of the Charles S. Peirce Society

Features

Features

—Draws on the resources of the pragmatist tradition in American political thought to develop an original theory of communitarianism

—Shows how democratic theory can make use of the ideas of thinkers who have been on the front lines in political effortsto make American society more inclusive—Dewey, Alain Locke, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Cornel West

—Addresses issues of major concern for a society plagued by racism, sexism, and class oppression

—A lively and readable book, suitable as a text orresource book for students and scholars of democratic theory

—For your courses in social and political philosophy, community and democracy, African-American philosophy, and multicultural studies